Bear Valley - Denver, CO

In 1858, gold was discovered in Denver on the shores of Cherry Creek. During the 1870s and 1880s, gold and silver mines brought abundance and growth to the city, while southwest in the area where Bear Valley now sits, wealthy residents built summer homes, including "Unsinkable" Molly Brown's Avoca Lodge, built in 1897. The Molly Brown Summer House Museum and Event Center plays host to weddings, receptions, teas and tours.

Following World War II, military installations brought rapid growth to the Denver area. In 1941, Lakewood, the suburb in which Bear Valley rests, received a contract with the Remington Arms Company, an ammunition factory, and bounded by the mountains to the west, the city sprawled to the east and the south. An outdoor summer concert series, a cider festival in the fall and a Christmas lighting ceremony highlight annual events.

Bear Valley abounds with an eclectic mix of restaurants and places to relax with your friends. The Greenfields Pool & Sports Bar rates high as a neighborhood hangout with a casual pool-hall vibe that features live music on weekends, darts, poker nights and an all-season patio that mists you in the summer and warms you in winter. Cash Box Karaoke, Music Mayhem Bingo, DJ Trivia and a free pool night provide nightly entertainment. Munch on pub food such as wings, loaded nachos, homemade green chili, burgers and build-your-own pizza while you enjoy a chilled glass of wine or a domestic beer. Another specialty restaurant, the Spicy Mexican Grill, prepares its fresh menu daily on the premises, using as little oil as possible to deliver authentic Mexican food such as menudo, chicken mole, adobada, carne asada, chile rellenos and hearty burrito bowls.

When you crave seafood with a Cajun twist, The Yabby Hut has a booth with your name on it. The bay-side fish-shack ambiance charms you, while the crawfish with garlic butter, baby clams, fresh oysters and lobster tickle your taste buds. The Yabby Hut habitually makes the Denver A List for "Best Seafood."

The Doghouse Tavern, a relaxed bar that hides in plain sight at the local shopping plaza, sets you up with quick, friendly service in a comfortable setting. Inexpensive beer, homemade green chili topped with cheese and sour cream, blackened steak salad and baskets of hand-cut fries, crispy tater tots or crunchy onion rings keep you happy between turns at the pool tables or while you cheer for your favorite team on the HD TVs.

Rocky Mountain oysters, a special Colorado treat, show up on the menu at the Rusty Bucket Bar and Grill, along with an artichoke heart appetizer, French dip sliders, fish and salad. Fifteen TVs dot the room, including the heated patio. Free Wi-Fi and live bands every weekend and Wednesdays keep you entertained in what could easily become your favorite retreat.

This neighborhood depends on a vehicle for errands although multiple bus public transportation stops lie within walking distance throughout the neighborhood. RTD operates a fixed-stop bus system and a light rail transit line. Plentiful public parking can be found at the Park-n-Ride station on Hampden Avenue. Free parking for residentas at two neighborhood light rail stations make finding a spot simple. Cab companies and car-sharing businesses such as Uber, RelayRides and Lyft provide transportation alternatives. The neighborhood features generous roadways and biking lanes that ensure safe passage to riders.

Neighborhood parks, such as Westgate and Jefferson Green, allow leashed dogs, provide playgrounds for the kids and have plenty of amenities for the entire family. In addition to baseball and softball fields, horseshoe pits and volleyball courts, bike and walking paths wind through tree-lined landscapes set against a backdrop of the imposing foothills. The Bear Creek Greenbelt has paths for walking, biking and running, ample picnic areas with shelters, restrooms, fishing and geocaching, or hunting for and finding a hidden object by using GPS coordinates obtained from a website.

Bear Creek Lake Park features 2,600 acres of open space suitable for camping, hiking and horseback riding, complete with a lake for swimming. The park holds an annual 5K and 10K Yeti Chase, a fishing tournament and a "Grin and Bear It" family competition where teams of two compete in a lake crossing, a mountain bike course and a run.

A terrific way to experience and appreciate the country-in-the-city feel of living in this area involves a trek on the Bear Creek Trail that connects downtown with the foothills. Enjoy scenic views of woodlands, meadows and the creek while admiring the urban beauty of Denver's skyline as you head for the western end of the trail, Bear Creek Greenbelt.

One of the last operating farms in the area, Schnell Farms, restricts access unless you join a tour provided by the Lakewood Historical Society.

Bear Valley's cost of living runs 1.25 percent less than Denver's. The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Bear Valley runs approximately $889 and a draft beer costs about $2. Daily local passes valid for bus and light rail travel range from $2.25 for local, $4 for an express pass and $5 on the regional trip. ADA Access-a-Ride costs from $4.50 to $26, Call-n-Ride $2.25 and SeniorRide starts at $2.25. A neighborhood EcoPass provides annual unlimited rides on all RTD buses and light rail. Bear Valley's gas prices run 1 percent below the national average.

Home Depot anchors the Bear Valley Shopping Center that also houses a Denver Motor Vehicle office, KFC, a barber shop and King Soopers. The beautiful Colorado climate makes outdoor sports, such as archery and biking, accessible for much of the year. Bear Creek Archery gives you an ideal place to stock up on hunting and competition supplies from brand name manufacturers such as ACCUNOCK, Tribute and Jazz for arrows and HoytUSA for bows. This store provides Junior Olympic classes, holds a summer camp for kids and supplies information on all local, state and national tournaments. The Treads Bicycle Outfitters is a full-service cycle shop with bikes for the entire family. In addition to BMX, cruiser, mountain and road bikes, the shop sells helmets, shoes, repair kits and parts. You'll find a local farmers market, Gloria Abbarrotes Market, on Morrison Road.